Simplified power relay assembly



Jan. 3, 1961 J. a. WILLIAMS 2,966,891

SIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1SIGNAL POWER FLUID FLUID.

JOHN G.WILLIAMS INVENTOR. FIG. 3 BY p A Jan. 3, 1961 J. G. WILLIAMS2,966,891

SIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY J'OHN G. WILLIAMS United States Patent QSIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY John G. Williams, 11 Lyons Place,Springfield, NJ.

Filed Nov. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 771,872

4 Claims. (Cl. 12141) The present invention relates to a simplifiedpower relay of the type applicable for flow control, in the operation ofwhich it is provided that in response to low power input signalscorresponding to line pressure variations, related but higher powerimpulses are transmitted to position a valve or other control mechanismto achieve this flow control.

Most prior art power relay assemblies used for the above purpose aresimilar to that disclosed in Patent 2,814,183, issued November 26, 1957,and are characterized by their use of the well known pivoting hydraulicjet pipe mechanism.

In contrast, it is one of the objects of the present invention toprovide a greatly simplified structure for handling the pressurized highpower fluid and controlling its effect in regulating flow control orsome similar application.

A further object is to provide a power relay assembly having nomechanical linkage and thus no mechanical linkage pivot points, therebyeliminating error heretofore unavoidably introduced by bearingclearances in these pivot points and by wear of the bearings of thesepivot points. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view of one embodiment of the power relay of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on line 22.

Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on line 33.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the power relay ofthe present invention.

With particular reference to Figure 2, the power relay of the presentinvention is shown to have an outer casing structure 1 in which isformed a cylinder 2. A cylinder head casing 3 is connected by bolts 50to casing structure 1 and defines a cylinder head chamber 4 to the rightof cylinder 2. Disposed transversely of the cylinder 2 are a pair oftelescoped sleeves 5 'and 6, the inner sleeve 5 being stationarilymounted in a head plate 7 at one end of cylinder 2, and the outer sleeve6 being slidably disposed on said inner sleeve 5 and having a powertakeolf end 8 extending through an opening 9 in an end plate 10 at theother end of cylinder 2. A piston 11 on outer sleeve 6 divides cylinder2 into chambers 12 and 13, and by selectively admitting power fluid,such as high pressure air, to one of the said chambers 12 and 13 Whileexhausting the other, a flow control valve or other control mechanism(not shown) suitably connected to the power take-01f end 8 of outersleeve 6 can be operated by the movement imparted to the said powertake-01f end 8 by the power fluid acting on piston 11.

One embodiment In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFigures 1, 2 and 3, pressure air is also used as the signal fluid,although of substantially smaller magnitude than that of the powerfluid. In this said embodiment, the cylinder head plate 7 iscounterbored forming stepped ble medial portion 17 is connected bycircumferentially spaced screws 18 to surface 14 while a diaphragm 19,functioning as the operating element or element sensitive to signalfluid pressure changes, is similarly connected by circumferentiallyspaced screws 20 to surface 15. Thus, within the cylinder head chamber4, a signal fluid pressure chamber 21 is formed between ring 16 anddiaphragm 19 adjacent the end of inner sleeve 5. Signal fluid iscontinuously delivered to chamber 21 through a radial passageway 22 inthe cylinder head plate 7. As a result, variations in signal fluidpressure or signal force will cause movement of the said movable elementor diaphragm 19 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetelescoped sleeves 5 and 6. i

The cylinder head casing 3 is provided with a central bore 23 whichhouses a conventional four-way valve com prised of a cylindrical liner24 force fit in the said bore 23 and a slidably disposed valve element25. To insurethat the valve element 25 and movable element or diaphragm19 move in unison, they are joined together by the bolt and nutarrangement 26. One end of a feedback spring member 28 disposed in thetelescoped sleeves 5 and 6 is connected to the bolt 27 of arrangement 26while the other end of spring member 28 is connected in a suitablemanner to the slidable outer sleeves 6 as at 29.

Operation 7 The movable element or diaphragm 19 and the valve element 25are in their neutral positions as shown in- Figure 2. That is, thepressure of the signal fluid in signal fluid chamber 21 urging diaphragm19 to the right is balanced by the force in spring member 28 urging thesaid diaphragm to the left. admitted through a passageway 30 incylindrical head casing 3 and through an opening 31 in cylindrical liner24 is thus confined to a central annular chamber 32 formed about valveelements 25 between the larger two of four shoulders 33 on valve element25. At all times,

chamber 34 to the right of diaphragm 19 communicates with the atmospherethrough one of several radial passages 35 leading to a central passage36 in valve element 25, which central passage in turn leads to anopening 37 in a cap 38 connected by screws 39 to cylinder head casing 3.

Let it now be assumed that there is a decrease in signal fluid pressure,signalling a decrease in line pressure, and

further let it be assumed that corrective action requires movement ofthe power take-off end 8 to the right in order to open a flow controlvalve (not shown) and thus restores the line pressure. This saidcorrective movement by the power take-off end 8 occurs due to thefollowing: When signal fluid pressure is decreased, the spring member 28is then able to urge both the diaphragm 19 and the valve element 25 tothe left. This movement in the valve element 25 uncovers an opening 40in the cylindrical liner 24 and thus allows passage 'of the power fluidfrom chamber 32 into a passageway 41 leading into chamber 12. At thesame time, and as more clearly shown in Figure 3, any power fluid inchamber 13 is exhausted to atmosphere passing through a passageway 42and an opening 43 in the cylindrical liner 24 into an annular exhaustchamber 44 formed about valve element 25 to the right of central annularchamber 32, and from thence passing through radial passage 35 andcentral passage 36 to the opening 37. Thus the entry of power fluid intochamber 12 while chamber 13 is exhausted to atmosphere will result inthe power fluid causing the desired corrective movement of the powertake-01f end 8 of outer sleeve 6 to the right.

However, this corrective movement of the power takeoff end 8 of outersleeve 6, being dependent upon the Patented v Jan. 3, 1961 7 Power fluidbeing- 3.1 entry, of power fluid into chamber 12, can COIltillllelOIllY,as long as the overbalance of spring force relative to that of thedecreased signal fluid pressure in signal fluid chamber 21 maintainsvalve element 25 out of its neutral position. Yet, as the powertakeaolf" end flmoves. to the right the force "of spring: member 28 isdecreased by con-w traction and a point is soon reached when it strikesa.

balance'with the decreasedsignal fluid pressure, whereupon the diaphragm19 and valve element 25 move back totheir neutral position'cutting oilthe supply. of power fluid. to chamber 12.

An increase in signal fluid pressure, signalling an increase in linepressure, will on the other hand require corrective movement of thepower take-off end 8 to the left. Thissaid corrective movement occursdue to the following: When-signal fluid pressure is increased, it willresult in' both the-diaphragm 19 andv valve element ZS moving. to theright. As best seen in Figure 3, thismovement in the valve element 25uncovers-the cylindrical liner opening,43 and thus allowspassage of thepower fluid from.

chamber 32' into passageway 42 leading to chamber 13.

At the same time, chamber 12 is exhausted toatmospherei.

through passageway 41 and liner opening 40 into aisecond annular exhaustchamber 45. formed. about valve element 25 to the left of centralannular chamber 32, and.

from thence through radial passage35 and central pas sage'36 to theopening 37. Thus, in this instance, the

power take-off end 8 of outer sleeve 6 will move to the left under theurgency of ithe power fluid.

Here too, however, corrective movement of the power take-off end 8 ofouter sleeve 6 to the left can continue only'as long as valve element 25is maintaIned' out of its neutral position. Yet, as the power take-01fend 8 moves tO'theleft, the force of spring-member 28 is increased byextensionand a point is soon reached when it strikes a balance with theincreased signal fluid pressure, whereupon diaphragm 19 and valveelement 25 move back to their neutral position cutting off the supply ofpower fluid to chamber 13.

Thus it is-seen that the simplified power relay of the" presentinvention accomplishes the desired'result of regulating a high powerimpulse in response to a low power impulse without resorting to anymechanical linkage or pivot points therefor, thus eliminatingerrorheretofore introduced by wear of these elements;

Another embodiment.-

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4, it ispreferred to regulate the power flu.d in response to variations inelectrical impulses rather than in'response to variations in pressure ofa signal fluid. Thus, instead of providing a diaphragm adjacent the endoftheinner sleeve within the cylinder head chamber and are designated bythe same but primed reference numerals.

Operation The valve element 25 and the operating element which in thisinstance is the valve element extension 47 are intheir neutral positionas shown in Figure 4. Thus, the power fluid is confined to centralannular chamber 32' and the force exerted by the solenoid 48 on extenson47 by reason of the electrical signal input thereto balances theopposing force of the spring member 28. Assuming at this time there is adecrease in the electrical signal input to the solenoid 48, valveelementZS' moves to the left under the urgency of spring member 28. Inthe manner previously described, this movement in valveelement 25'permits the power fluid to enter. chamber 12' through passageway 41'while chamber 13': is: exhausted to atmosphere. Accordingly, under theurg of 11116 power fluid, the. power take-off end 8' of outer sleeve; 61partakes a corrective movement to the right. This in turn decreases theforce of spring member 28 by contraction and a point is soon reachedwhen it strikes a balance with the decreased modulated force of solenoid48, whereupon the valve element 25' and valve element extension 47 moveback to their neutral-position cutting off the sup ply of power fluid tochamber 12'.

On the other hand, if'instead of a decrease in the electrical signalinput to solenoid 48 there is-an increase in this signal, the increasedforce exerted by the solenoid "48 on extension 47 will cause valveelement 25' to move to the right. In the manner previously described,this movement in valve element 25 will resultin the power fluid urgingthe power take-off end 8' of outer sleeve 6' to the left. This in turnincreases the force of spring member 28 by extension and a point is soonreached when it strikes a balance with the increased modulated force ofsolenoid 48, whereupon the valve element 25' and valve element extension47 move backtotheir neutral position cutting off the supply of powerfluid tol'chan ber 13'.

Thus, this embodiment of the present inventionalso" constitutes asimplified power relay in which high power-- impulses are regulated inresponse to low power signals, which in this instance are electricalimpulses.

It will be understood that the invention is not to bej, limited to thespecific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they maybe widely modified within the invention definedby the claims.

What is'claimed is:

l. A power relay assembly comprising, a casing; in; which isformedafirst and a second chamber, saidicasingfi defining a hole between saidchambers, a pair of. telescoped sleeves disposed within said firstchamber, the inner sleeve r mounted stationary about said hole; the:outersleeve freely slidable on said inner sleeve and hav-- inga' powertake-.ofl extending from said first chamber, a piston connected to saidouter sleeve and operatively'disa= posed in said first chamber,a'movable element disposed within said second chamber, avalve elementadapted to move in unison with said movable element in a directionparallel to the axis of said telescoped sleeves from a neutral positionin response to a signal force acting on saidmovable element, pressurizedpower fluid communicating with said valve element, conduit meanscommunicating;v said valve element with one side of said piston, saidvalve element when moving from saidneutral position permittingcommunication of power fluid to said one side of said piston forcingmovement of the power take-olf, a spring 1 member disposed in saidtelescoped sleeves and connected at one end to said slidable outersleeve and penetrating. said hole so that the other end is attachedto'said movable element-whereby on movement of said piston said spring;

member is stressed to oppose said signal force and urge: said valveelement to return to its neutral position-upon the diminution of saidsignal force thereby curtailing the communication of power fluid to saidside of the piston,-a= sealing membrane connected to the end of said"second chamber adjacent said first chamber to seal said hole.

2. A power relay assembly comprising a casing inwhich is formed afirst'and a second chamber, said casingf defining a hole between saidchambers, a pair of tele-. scoped sleeves disposed within said firstchamber, the inner sleeve mounted stationary about said hole, the outer.sleeve freely slidable on said inner sleeve and having a power take-offextending from said first chamber, a-pis ton connected to said outersleeve and operativelydisposed in said first chamber, a first and asecond side of said piston, a movableelement disposed within saidsecand: chamber, a slide valve adapted to move in unison with saidmovable element in-a direction parallel'to the axisiof saiditelescopedsleeves from a neutral position in. response touaisignal force acting onsaid vmovable element, pressurized. power; fluid communicatingwith saidvalve; first conduit means communicating said slide valve with saidfirst side of the piston, second conduit means communicating said slidevalve with said second side of the piston, exhaust means communicatingwith said valve, said valve when moving from said neutral positionpermitting communication of power fluid to either of said sides of thepiston while exhausting the other side thereby forcing movement of saidpower take-oft, a spring member disposed in said telescoped sleeves andconnected at one end to said slidable outer sleeve and penetrating saidhole so that the other end is attached to said movable element wherebyon movement of said piston said spring member is stressed to oppose saidsignal force and urge said valve to return to its neutral position uponthe diminution of said signal force thereby curtailing the communicationof power fluid to said first chamber, a sealing membrane connected tothe end of said second chamber adjacent said first chamber to seal saidhole.

3. The power relay assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movableelement is a flexible diaphragm disposed normal to the axis of saidtelescoped sleeves and spaced from one end of said second chamber todefine a pressure compartment in which signal fluid impulses arereceived from a variable signal source to move said diaphragm from aneutral position in response to said fluid impulses in a directionparallel to the axis of said telescoped sleeves, said valve elementcomprising a slide valve connected to said diaphragm in close proximitytherewith.

4. A power relay assembly comprising a casing with a first chamber and asecond chamber, a piston in said first chamber, said second chamberconnected to a variable fluid signal source, a movable element in saidsecond chamber comprised of a diaphragm, said diaphragm disposedtransverse to the direction of motion of said piston in said firstchamber, said diaphragm including a flexible membrane and a plate meanscentrally mounted on said flexible membrane, said plate means extendinga portion of the radial distance from the center of said flexiblemembrane to the periphery of said flexible membrane, a

pair of concentric telescoped sleeves disposed longitudinally in saidfirst chamber, said telescoped sleeves comprising a first sleeve and asecond sleeve, said first sleeve being stationary and connected to saidcasing on the side of said piston adjacent said second chamber, saidsecond sleeve slidably mounted on said first sleeve, said piston isformed on said second sleeve, the end of said second sleeve remote fromsaid piston extends out of said casing and is connected to a powertake-off, a spring housed in said telescoped sleeves connected at oneend to said slidably mounted second sleeve and to the other end of saidplate means of said diaphragm, a valve element connected to the platemeans of said diaphragm, said valve element connected to move in unisonwith said plate means of said diaphragm in a path parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said telescoped sleeves in response to a change inthe pressure transmitted by the signal fluid, said valve elementconnected to an entrance port means for power fluid and connected to anexit port means for power fluid and said valve element connected topassage means communicating with each side of said piston, said valveelement when moving from a neutral position permitting entrance of saidpower fluid to one of the sides of said piston and the exhaustion ofpower fluid fromthe opposite side of said piston forcing movement ofsaid piston opposite the direction of the motion of said valve, saidspring member disposed in said telescoped sleeves is contracted orextended to cause said plate means of said diaphragm and said valve toreturn to their neutral position after each movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FranceJuly 11, 1949

